Tapping device for beer kegs and the like

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a novel tapping device for beer kegs and the like including a keg adapter mounted in the opening of a keg at the brewery and a probe-type coupler secured to the keg adapter at the dispensing establishment to dispense beer. The adapter has an enlarged central gas passage and a laterally offset beer passage terminating in a depending siphon tube, beer and gas valves being disposed in the beer and gas passages respectively. The coupler has a central probe engageable with the gas valve to open the latter whereby gas is transmitted through the coupler and keg adapter into the keg. The coupler also carries a lug engageable with the beer valve in the keg adapter for opening the latter upon securement of the coupler to the adapter whereby beer is dispensed from the keg through the siphon tube, keg adapter and coupler.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mack S. Johnston 26 l-litching PostDrive, Rolling Hills, Calif. 90274 [21 Appl. No. 819,706 [22] Filed Apr.28, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [54] TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGSAND THE LIKE 28 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. C1. 222/400.7, 137/212 [51] Int. Cl 865d 83/00 [50] FieldoiSearch 137/212; ZZZ/400.7, 400.8, 398, 507; 25 1/149.8, 149.9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,065,233 6/1913 Gittinger222/4007 2,331,001 10/1943 Simon 137/212 2,638,914 5/1953 Flahl et al.137/212 2,749,930 6/1956 Whitnall 137/212 3,035,603 5/1962 Jamieson etal. 222/4007 X Primary Examiner.loseph R. Leclair AssistantExaminer-Steven E. Lipman AttorneyLe Blanc & Shur ABSTRACT: Disclosed isa novel tapping device for beer kegs and the like including a kegadapter mounted in the opening of a keg at the brewery and a probe-typecoupler secured to the keg adapter at the dispensing establishment todispense beer.

The adapter has an enlarged central gas passage and a laterally offsetbeer passage terminating in a depending siphon tube, beer and gas valvesbeing disposed in the beer and gas passages respectively. The couplerhas a central probe engageable with the gas valve to open the latterwhereby gas is transmitted through the coupler and keg adapter into thekeg. The coupler also carries a lug engageable with the beer valve inthe keg adapter for opening the latter upon securement of the coupler tothe adapter whereby beer is dispensed from the keg through the siphontube, keg adapter and coupler.

miminum 51911 3610x178 SHEET 1 UF 4 INVENTOR MACK S. JOHNSTGJ ATTORNEYSPATENTED 0m 51% SHEET 2 BF 4 TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKEThe present invention relates to a new improved tapping device fordrawing fluid such as beer from containers such as beer kegs or barrelsusing a gas to drive the fluid from the container. Particularly, thepresent invention relates to a new improved tapping device usable withconventional beer kegs of the type having a ilk-inch tapping opening andcomprising a novel key adapter for constantly sealing the keg and aunique coupler releasably attachable to the adapter at the dispensingestablishment for dispensing beer.

In the fluid-dispensing industry, particularly the beerdispensingindustry, there are currently several types of tapping systems utilizingspecially constructed kegs or containers. One such system is theso-called Golden Gate" type which employs a keg characterized by anenlarged, usually about lA-inch opening formed in the bottom sidewall ofthe keg and a similar opening formed in the top wall. Fittings, commonlyused with this system, are provided to seal the openings whereby the kegmay be filled at the brewery. At the dispensing establishment, twoadditional and separate fittings for the two different keg openings areapplied to the keg fittings, one for introducing gas or air into the kegthrough the opening in its top wall and the other for withdrawing thebeer from the keg through the sidewall opening. This type of arrangementhas proven generally unsatisfactory from many standpoints including thehigh cost of the fittings, difficulties encountered in cleaning the kegsand the considerable labor involved to tap the keg. However,Golden-Gate-type systems have been adapted and are in use by some of thelargest U.S. breweries and there is a reluctance to abandon the systemdue to the substantial capital investment therein, notwithstanding itswell-known disadvantages.

The keg tapping unit disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,065,885 has beenproposed for use with the Golden-Gate-tapping system and this unitprovides beer and gas passages through a barrel unit secured in theupper keg opening. A tavern unit having beer and gas passages, iscoupled to the barrel unit and a probe opens the centrally disposed beervalve to permit beer to be withdrawn from the keg under pressure, thebeer and gas passages being provided through the single keg opening.However, this adapter is a relatively complex structure and does notadmit of successful utilization in a series tapping system, successfulindustry penetration of this unit being precluded by its high cost, theforegoing and other factors.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide anovel improved beer-tapping unit specifically adapted for use with theGolden-Gate-type tapping system and wherein only the one opening throughthe upper wall of the keg is utilized to provide gas or air underpressure to the keg and with draw beer or the like from the keg, therebyeliminating the necessity of a second pair of tapping and keg fittingsfor the other opening as is the current practice in tapping kegs of theGolden-Gate-type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtapping device for a Golden-Gate-tapping system wherein the fitting forthe opening through the lower sidewall of each Golden-Gate-type keg isentirely eliminated and is replaced by a permanent seal. I

Still another object is to provide enlarged beer and gas passagesthrough both the coupler and keg adapter of the present tapping unitwhereby the unit is useful in series installations. The foregoing isaccomplished without retarding the normal rate of liquid or beer flow isin no way detrimental to the quality of the liquid or beer dispensed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel kegadapter for releasable securement in the enlarged opening of theGolden-Gate type keg at the brewery and having uniquely formed liquidand gas passages as well as novel liquid and gas valves in therespective liquid and gas passages.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novelcoupler for use at the dispensing establishment and having a gas checkvalve precluding backflow or surge of liquid or beer into the gas lines.

A related object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcoupler and keg adapter wherein the former can be readily and easilyreleasably secured to 'the latter in a manner to substantiallysimultaneously open the liquid and gas valves in the keg adapter wherebycommunication between the respective fluid and gas passages in thecoupler and keg adapter is immediately established.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a rugged,strong, readily constructed, inexpensive and substantially all metaltapping unit specifically adapted for tapping beer or the like inGolden-Gate-type tapping systems.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification,appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view with parts broken out for ease ofillustration of a typical Golden-Gate-type keg and in which the improvedtapping unit of the present invention is installed, the latter unitbeing illustrated in exploded juxtaposition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the parts forming thenew improved keg adapter and coupler of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the keg adapter asassembled in the keg opening and the coupler prior to its securement tothe keg adapter;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary vertical cross section views of thetapping unit hereof with the coupler being illustrated in initial andfinally secured positions within the keg adapter; cross-sectional FIGS.6 and 7 are horizontal cross-sectional views of the keg adapter andtaken generally about on line 6-6 and 7-7 respectively in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are horizontal cross-sectonal views thereof taken about onlines 88 and 9-9 in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one form of a Golden Gate keg withparts broken out to illustrate the keg adapter semipermanently securedwithin the upper keg opening; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of another form of Golden Gate keg withparts broken out to illustrate the keg adapter hereof semipermanentlysecured within the upper keg opening.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, there isillustrated one form of a conventional keg, generally indicated at 10,of the type commonly in use with the so-called Golden-Gate-type tappingsystem. This conventional keg includes a cylindrical keg body comprisingsidewalls 12 and upper and lower walls 14 and 16 respectively. A kegopening 18 is provided through the sidewall 12 adjacent the bottom ofthe keg and, conventionally, receives a fitting for withdrawing beerfrom the keg.

In utilizing the present invention, however, this conventional sidewallfitting is not needed as both gas and beer are respectively supplied toand withdrawn from the keg through the other keg opening as will bedescribed. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, opening 18 issealed by the application of a plug 20 clamped against a shoulder 21 inopening 18 by a ring 22 threadably received within opening 18. Thethreaded opening 18 is standard for all Golden-Gatetype kegs and thesealing plug 20 and ring 22 are formed compatible with this type ofopening whereby modification of the standard keg and keg opening are notnecessary.

The conventional Golden-Gate-type keg also includes an opening 24through the upper keg wall 14. The opening 24 in this form of keg isoffset from the axis of the keg and lies in a common diametrical planewith lower opening 18. A filler opening 25 is also formed through thesidewall of keg 10 to receive a filler rod, not shown, for transmittingbeer into the keg at the brewery when the keg is being filled in amanner as will be described. Typically, the upper opening 24 is about I1% inches in diameter and comprise stepped shoulders 26 and 28 forming aportion of an outwardly projecting annular flange 30, the flange 30being internally threaded outwardly of shoulder 28 as at 31. The newimproved tapping unit of the present invention is adapted to be receivedwithin keg opening 24 for transmitting gas or air from a pressurizedsource, not shown, through opening 24 into the keg and for withdrawingbeer from the keg through the same opening 24. The improved keg-tappingunit of the present invention comprises a keg adapter, generallyindicated at A, which is releasably secured within the keg opening 24 atthe brewery and which, in cooperation with plug 20, seals the beerwithin the keg after fillingat the brewery, and a coupler, generallyindicated at B, which is releasably secured to keg adapter A at thedispensing establishment and cooperates therewith to provide gas intothe keg and withdraw beer under pressure from the keg.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the keg adapter A comprisesa cylindrical housing or body having radially outwardly directed annularflange 34 at its upper end, a downwardly projecting nipple 36 adjacentits upper end, a downwardly projecting nipple 36 adjacent its lower endand laterally olfset portion 38 adjacent nipple 36. The housing 32 ispreferably an all metal construction and a central bore 40 is providedthrough nipple 36. An upwardly and inwardly angled passage 42 isprovided through offset portion 38 opening at its upper end as at 43into the cup-shaped chamber 44 defined by body 32 and opening throughthe lower end of body 32 at an axially ofiset position. The upper end ofa siphon tube 46, formed preferably of metal, is suitable secured as bybrazing or the like within the lower end of offset passage 42 to extendvertically within the keg when adapter A is secured within opening 24.The lower end portion 47 of siphon tube 46 is bent at about a 15 angleand extends to the lower wall 16 of keg 10 when keg adapter A is finallysecured within keg opening 24 for reasons described hereinafter. Body 32also includes a pair of diametrically opposed inwardly directed arcuateflanges or lugs 48 about its upper end. Flanges 48 define a pair ofdiametrically opposed slots 50 opening through the top of body 32. Asbest seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the undersurfaces of flanges 48 are arcuateas at 52 to provide downwardly curving circumferentially extending camsurfaces for reason as will presently become clear. Cam surfaces 52terminate in diametric'ally opposed downwardly extending stop shoulders54.

A sleeve 56 is suitably secured as by brazing or the like within centralbore 40 of nipple 36 and is externally threaded about its upper end asat 58. Sleeve 56 includes a diametrically enlarged portion 60 which isexternally threaded as at 62. A gas valve is provided in keg adapter Aand comprises a tube 64 slidably receivable within sleeve 56. Tube 64terminates at its upper end above sleeve 56 in an annular outwardlyleveled surface 66 for reasons noted hereinafter. The lower end of tube64 includes a diametrically enlarged portion 68 which, when tube 64 isreceived within sleeve 56 butts the lower end of sleeve 56. A reducedcylindrical projection 70 is formed on the lower end of enlarged portion68. A plurality of openings 72 are spaced circumferentially about thelower end of tube 64 above enlarged portion 68. An -ring seal 74 iscarried by tube 64 above enlarged portion 68. An O-ring seal 74 iscarried by tube 64 between openings 72 and portion 68 and is, as shownin FIG. 3, normally in sealing engagement about the lower end of sleeve56. To retain tube 64 within sleeve 56, the upper end of a tubularretainer 76 is threaded about the lower end of sleeve 56. Retainer 76includes a central chamber 78 and has a reduced central bore 80 throughits lower end forming an internal annular shoulder 82 about 80. Oppositeends of a coil spring 84 engage against shoulder 82 and aboutreduced-diameter portion 70 of tube 64. Spring 84 biases tube 64upwardly to normally maintain enlarged portion 68 against the lower endof sleeve 56 and O-ring 74 in sealing engagement about sleeve 56.

When tube 64 is displaced downwardly against the bias of spring 84 in amanner to be described, there is provided a gas passage (FIG. throughkeg adapter A including tube 64, openings 72, chamber 78 and bore 80. Itwill be appreciated that the gas passage is maintained sealed prior totapping of the keg by the O-ring seal 74.

Keg adapter A includes a liquid or beer passage comprising siphon tube46, passage 42 and chamber 44 for transferring liquid or beer from thekeg. To nonnally seal the liquid or'beer passage through adapter A, abutterfly valve 86 having a central bore is received about sleeve 56within chamber 44. The lower surface of the valve 86 carries a similarlyshaped sealing element 88 which may be formed, for example, of Teflon,rubber or the like. As seen particularly in FIG. 7, the butterfly valve86, in its normal position and with the keg untapped has a leg portionoverlying in sealing engagement about the opening 43 of passage 42. Withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, butterfly valve 86 is retained against thebottom face of housing 32 by a nut 91 threaded about the upper end ofsleeve 56. An O-ring seal is provided in a groove along the upper faceof nut 91. A cup-shaped locknut 92 is also threadedly received about theupper end of sleeve 56 and locks against nut 91 with ring forming a sealtherebetween. As seen particularly in FIG. 3, the upper innercylindrical wall 94 of locknut 92 is spaced outwardly from the upper endof tube 64 for reasons as will become apparent from the ensuingdescription.

To secure keg adapter A within the keg opening 24, the siphon tube 46and body 32 are inserted through opening 24 with an O-ring 96 beingprovided between shoulder 26 about keg opening 24 and the underside offlange 34 on keg adapter A. An externally threaded locking ring 98having suitable notches 100 cooperable with a spanner wrench is thenthreaded down on flange 34 to secure keg adapter A within opening 24with ring 96 forming a seal between body 32 and keg flange 30. Theforegoing installation of keg adapter A in the keg opening 24 isaccomplished at the brewery. The keg opening is completely sealed as theliquid passage 42 and gas passage through tube 64 are respectivelysealed by butterfly valve 86 and O-ring 74 against sleeve 56 with O-ring96 sealing the adapter body 32 about keg flange 30. The spring 84maintains the openings 72 in tube 64 above the seal 74 precluding egressof liquid or gas from within to without the keg. Rotation of keg adapterA within opening 24 is prevented by the engagement of a lug 101 with asuitable recess, not shown, formed on keg flange 30. Lug 101 also servesto locate the siphon tube in proper position with the keg 10 illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 10in a manner to be described.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the new improved coupler Bof the present invention includes a main cylindrical body or housing 102having an annular flange 104 intermediate its ends and an externallythreaded upper end as at 106. An O-ring seal 108 is provided about body102 adjacent the lower face of flange 104 forreasons which will becomeapparent. The lower end of body 102 carries a pair of diametricallyopposed outwardly projecting lugs 110 and 112 having a circumferentialextent as to be slideably receivable within the spaces 50 between theopposing ends of flanges 48 on keg adapter A. Lug 112 extends below thelower end of cylindrical body 102 to provide a projection 114 forrotating butterfly valve 86 of keg adapter A as will be described. Anarm 116 projects laterally from one side of body 102 and includes a bore118 communicating with the central bore 120 within body 102. Arm 116 isexternally threaded at its distal end for connection with a hose fortransmitting beer from the keg to a faucet or to another keg when thekegs are connected in series.

Coupler B also includes a cylindrical head 122 having a central bore124. The lower end of head 122 is recessed and internally threaded forthreaded connection about the upper end of body 102, a suitable annularseal 126 being disposed between head 122 and body 102. Areduced-diameter bore 128 is tapped at the lower end of head 122 andthreadedly receives the upper externally threaded end of probe 130.Probe I30 extends downwardly from head 122 within the central bore 120of body 102 to adjacent the lower end of body 102. Probe 130 defineswith bore 120 an annular liquid passage 132 in communication with bore118 through arm 116. The lower end of probe 130 carries a pair ofaxially spaced O-ring seals 134. An O-ring seal 136 is provided betweenprobe 130 and head I22 to preclude communication between bore 124 andannular passage 132.

The upper end of head 122 is internally threaded to threadedly receivethe lower end of a nipple 138 having a central bore 139. An O-ring 140is provided between nipple 138 and head 122 to seal bore 124 at itsupper end. The upper open end of a flexible gas check valve 142 issecured within the central bore 139 of nipple 138. Gas valve 142comprises an elongated sleeve or envelope closed at its lower end andpreferably formed of a silicone rubber, such as Silastic S-2000 SiliconeRubber manufactured by Dow Corning Corp., Midland, Michigan. The upperend is suitably secured within bore 144 by a metal ring, not shown,extending about the upper inner walls of the gas valve within bore 139clamping the same against the bore walls. Suitable adhesive is alsoapplied about the upper end of the valve. One or more slits 146 areformed through the sides of valve 142 whereby gas or air communicatingthrough bore 139 passes through slits 146 into bore 124 while reverseflow of beer from chamber 124 into bore 139 is precluded as will becomeclear from the ensuring description. The gas check valve 142 may be ofthe type disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 676,291, filedOct. 18, 1967 now abandoned in favor of continuing application Ser. No.814,883 filed Mar. 26, 1969, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference to that application. The upper end of retainer 138terminates in a tubular portion adapted to receive a flexible hose forconducting gas or air from a pressure source, not shown, to the couplerB. Suitable flats 147 are also formed on nipple 138 to facilitate thethreaded connection between nipple 138 and head 122.

To employ the tapping unit of the present invention, the keg adapter isinstalled at the brewery in the opening 24 and the seal is applied toopening 18, all as previously described. When the keg 10 is to be tappedat the dispensing establishment, the arm 116 is coupled by suitablehosing not shown, to a beer-dispensing faucet (or to another keg whereina series installation is desired) and the nipple 138 is coupled to a gaspressure source through suitable hosing, not shown (or to a precedingkeg wherein a series installation is required). The coupler B is thenaligned above keg adapter A so that lugs 110 and 112 are receivablethrough the slots 50 between the spaced flanges 48 on adapter A. Whencoupler B is displaced downwardly as seen particularly in FIG. 4 withlugs 110 and 112 being received through slots 50, the lower end of probe130 is received within the locknut 92 and O-rings 134 engage against theinner wall 94 of locknut 92 to form a seal. The beveled edges 66 oflocknut 92 facilitate centering of the probe and locknut 92. Furtherdownward movement of coupler 8 onto adapter A causes the lower end ofprobe 130 to engage the upper end of tube 64 and continued downwardmovement of coupler B displaces tube 64 downwardly against the bias ofspring 84. This continued downward movement of coupler B also locatesthe projection 114 on lug 1 12 between the legs of butterfly valve 86 asseen in FIG. 8. When coupler B is moved downwardly sufficiently tolocate the shoulders 111 and 113 of lugs 110 and 112 respectively belowthe cam surfaces 52 on flanges 48 in adapter A, the coupler is rotatedin the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 8, to engage the shoulderswith cam surfaces 52 below flanges 48. Clockwise rotation of coupler 8relative to the keg adapter A thus cams coupler B downwardly. Clockwiserotation of coupler B also causes PROJECTION 114 to engage and rotatethe butterfly valve 86 in the clockwise direction to uncover opening 43and thereby provide communication between. passage 42 and chamber 44,Continued rotation of coupler B for about a quarter of a turn engageslugs 110 and 112 against the stop shoulders 54 depending from flanges 48at which time opening 43 is fully uncovered (FIG. 9) and O-ring 108seals against the upper face of flange 34 inwardly of clamp ring 98.

During the downward camming action provided by the shoulders 52 and lugs110 and 112, the lower end of probe 130 continues to displace tube 64downwardly to locate openings 72 below the lower end of sleeve 56 incommunication with chamber 78 as best seen in FIG. 5. Thus, when couplerB is fully rotated about one-quarter of a turn, to its finally securedposition, there is provided a through gas passage communicating throughthe coupler B and keg adapter A. Particularly, the gas passage comprisesthe bore 139, the slit 146 in gas check valve 142, bore 124, the boresthrough the probe 130 and tube 64 which lie in open communication onewith the other (FIG. 5), openings 72, the chamber 78 within retainer 76and the bore 80 in retainer 78.

When coupler B is finally secured to adapter A as previously described,there is also provided a liquid passage through adapter A and coupler Bfor delivery of beer under pressure from within the keg to a faucet (oranother keg when utilized in a series installation) coupled to am 116 oncoupler B. Specifically, the liquid passage through the tapping unitcomprises siphon tube 46, passage 42, chamber 44 about locknut 92,annular passage 132 in coupler B and bore 118 through arm 1 16.Accordingly, gas under pressure applied through the foregoing-describedgas passage drives the beer through the liquid passage for delivery to afaucet or an additional keg as the case may be.

It is a particular feature hereof that entry of the liquid or beer fromthe keg into the gasline or hose leading to the gas pressure source isprecluded. When the keg pressure exceeds the gas pressure, for examplewhen the keg is being initially tapped, beer from the keg may flowthrough the gas passage in adapter A, i.e., through bore 80 and openings72, through the probe 130 and into bore about gas valve 142. Thepressure within bore 124 on one side of valve 142 will accordinglyexceed the pressure on the opposite side of the valve 142 within bore139 whereby the flexible valve will collapse causing the edges of slit146 to seal against one another. Thus backflow or surge of beer into thegaslines is precluded.

It will be seen that enlarged beer and gas passages are formed when thecoupler B is secured to adapter A. This is particularly important inseries installations wherein liquid will flow into a series-connectedkeg through the foregoing described gas passages through the coupler andadapter. As an example of a series installation, the keg connecteddirectly to the pressure source will be provided with the gas checkvalve 142 to prevent backflow of beer into the gaslines as previouslydescribed. Additional kegs connected in series to the first keg will beprovided identical tapping units with the exception that the gas checkvalve 142 will be omitted from their coupler units. Accordingly, the gasunder pressure from the gas source drives the beer from the first kegthrough its arm 116 and through suitable hosing not shown connected tothe nipple 138 on the second keg. Thus, the beer from the first keg willflow through the bore 139 directly into chamber 124, through probe 130and into the second keg through the openings 72 and bore 80 of its kegadapter A. The beer will flow out of the series connected kegs in theusual fashion in each instance. The foregoing tapping unit thus providesenlarged beer and gas passageways particularly adapting the tapping unithereof for use in serially connected kegs. Moreover, this isaccomplished without retarding the flow rate or diminishing the qualityof the beer.

Moreover, the keg-tapping device hereof is completely compatible withthe racking (filling) apparatus utilized at the breweries to fill thekegs with beer. After the kegs are cleaned and the keg adapter A issemipermanently installed within keg opening 24 in the manner previouslydescribed (the seal 20 may be left permanently installed in keg opening18 or may be removed during washing an reinstalled prior to filling),the keg is placed on the racker, not shown, in a horizontal positionwith the side hung or filling opening 25 opening upwardly to receive abeer filling rod, not shown. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, there isschematically illustrated two standard fonns of Golden-Gate-type kegs.In FIG. 10, the opening 24 through the upper wall of the keg is offsetfrom the axis of the keg and lies in a common diametrical plane with thelower semipermanently sealed opening 18. In FIG. 1 1, a further form ofGolden-Gate-type keg has a central or coaxial opening 24a through theupper wall of the keg. In both keg forms, the filler opening 25 islocated through the sidewall of the keg about 90 from the lower opening18. in both forms of kegs, the lower wall 16 is dished downwardly. Whenthe keg lies in the usual upright tapped position, the last few glassesof beer will collect in the central lowermost portion of the dished wall16 as at C. Accordingly, it is necessary to locate the inlet end of thesiphon rod 46 adjacent the lowermost portion C of the keg such that thekeg can be completely drained of beer. Additionally, the siphon rod mustextend the length of the keg in a manner as not to interfere with thefilling rod which will be inserted through the filling opening 25 toextend laterally across the keg when the keg is at the brewery beingfilled.

Accordingly, the siphon tube 46 utilized in connection with the form ofkeg 10 illustrated in FIG. 10, extends vertically downwardly from kegadapter A past the vertical position of the filler opening 25 at aposition radially offset from the axis of keg 10. At a point below thefiller opening and preferably about 6 inches from the bottom of the keg,the siphon tube 46 is bent at about an angle indicated at e, such thatits lower outwardly flared inlet end 49 terminates adjacent thelowermost portion C of the keg, i.e., on the vertical axis of the keg inthe lowermost portion of the dished lower wall 16. When siphon tube 46is assembled with keg adapter A, the lower end portion 47 is bent in alateral direction such that, when the lug 101 is received in thecorresponding recess in the keg wall opening 24, the lower end portion47 will extend from its vertically extending axially offset position toa position-locating inlet end 49 coaxially of the keg. In this manner,lug 101 serves to locate and position the siphon tube 46 in the properposition within the keg.

In order to locate the inlet end 49a of the siphon tube 46a when adapterA is employed with a Golden-Gate keg 10a of the type having a centralupper opening 24a as illustrated in FIG. 1 l, the siphon tube 46a isbent outwardly at an angle indicated at f in FIG. 11, immediately belowthe body portion of adapter A. Siphon tube 46a thus extends to aposition offset from the axis of the keg at a location medially betweenthe upper and lower walls of the keg. Thus tube 46a is offset from thetiller opening 25 such that the filler rod can be inserted withoutcontacting tube 46a. At a point medially of the length of siphon tube460, the tube is reversely bent through an angle 3 such that the lowerflared end 49a terminates coaxially of the keg 10a. in this manner, theadapter A is also usable with the central opening Golden-Gate-type kegand the siphon tube 460 does not interfere with the filler rod when thekeg is being filled at the brewery. Moreover, in both forms ofGolden-Gate kegs, the siphon tube is located adjacent the lowermostportions C of the keg whereby the kegs may be completely drained of theremaining few glasses of beer.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by US. Letters Patent is:

l. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extend ing coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, and normally closedliquid valve means in said liquid passage, said liquid valve meansincluding a valve member movable between first and second positions in aplane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body, saidmember in said first position sealing said liquid passage and in saidsecond position opening said liquid passage to permit transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg.

2. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and tenninating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, and normally closedliquid valve means in said liquid passage, said body including an innerend wall, a sleeve in said end wall in generally coaxial relation tosaid body, at least a portion of said gas passage communicating throughsaid sleeve, said sleeve being spaced from the sidewalls of said body todefine therewith an annular portion of said liquid passage, said offsetopening in communication with said annular liquid passage portion, saidliquid valve means including a valve member rotatable about said sleevebetween first and second positions in a plane extending substantiallynormal to the axis of said body, said valve member sealing about saidopening when in said first position and permitting transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg when in said second position.

3. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said offset openingcommunicates through said end wall, and a siphon tube carried by saidbody in communication with said ofiset opening.

4. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, and normally closedliquid valve means in said liquid passage, a substantially coaxiallyextending tubular element carried by said body for axial movementbetween two positions, at least a portion of said gas passagecommunicating through said element, said gas valve means carried atleast in part by said element for sealing said gas passage when in saidfirst axial position and for permitting transfer of gas from the outsideto the inside of said keg when in said second position, and meansbiasing element into said first position. V

5. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tubularelement is closed at its inner end and has a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings thereabout spaced axially from saidclosed end, a sealing ring carried by said tubular element between saidclosed end and said openings for sealing against said body when saidelement lies in said first position, said element in said secondposition locating said openings inwardly of said body to permit gascommunication through said tubular element and openings into the keg.

6. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said body includesan inner end wall having an axially extending opening, said tubularelement being slideably received through said end Wall opening, saidtubular element being spaced from the sidewalls of said body with theannular space between said element and said body defining a portion ofsaid liquid passage, said offset opening extending through said end wallin communication with said annular liquid passage portion, said liquidvalve means including a valve member rotatable about said elementbetween first and and second positions in a plane extendingsubstantially normal to the axis of said body, said valve member sealingabout said offset opening when in said first position and permittingtransfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg when insaid second position.

7. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, and normally closedliquid valve means in said liquid passage, said body including an innerend wall having a coaxial opening, a sleeve extending through saidcoaxial opening, said sleeve being spaced from the sidewalls of saidbody to define therewith an annular portion of said liquid passage, saidoffset opening extending through said end wall in communication withsaid annular liquid passage portion, said liquid valve means including amember rotatable about said sleeve between first and second positions ina plane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body, meansfor retaining said valve member and sleeve on said body, said valvemember sealing about said offset opening when in said first position andpermitting transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the kegwhen in said second position, a tubular element having a closed innerend slideably received in said sleeve for axial movement between twopositions, at least a portion of said gas passage communicating throughsaid element, said gas valve means including a resilient ring carriedabout said element adjacent the closed end thereof for sealing aboutsaid sleeve when said element lies in said first position, a pluralityof openings spaced circumferentially about said element and spacedaxially outwardly from said sealing ring, said element in said secondposition locating said openings inwardly of said sleeve to permit gascommunication through said tubular element and openings into the keg,and means carried by said body biasing said element into said firstposition.

8. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said biasing meansincludes a generally cylindrical housing secured to the inner end ofsaid sleeve and defining a chamber with said tubular element throughsaid circumferential openings when said element lies in said secondposition, said housing having an aperture providing communicationbetween said chamber and the keg, and a spring carried within saidhousing chamber and engaging said element to bias the latter outwardlyinto said first position.

9. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, normally closed liquidvalve means in said liquid passage, a keg having an enlarged opening,said keg opening including a threaded portion, an unthreaded portion ofsmaller diameter than said threaded portion, and an annular shoulderextending inwardly from said unthreaded portion, said body including anoutwardly directed flange, a seal between said body flange and said kegshoulder and an externally threaded locking ring threaded about saidthreaded portion of said keg opening for clamping said body flange andseal against said shoulder.

10. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg orlike containertop, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said wall scomprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted tobe secured within the keg wall opening and including a central gaspassage extending coaxially through said body for the transfer of gasfrom the outside to the inside of the keg, normally closed gas valvemeans in said gas passage, a liquid passage through said body bypassingsaid gas passage and terminating adjacent the inner end of said body ina laterally offset opening, normally closed liquid valve means in saidliquid passage, means carried by said body for releasably securing adispensing coupler unit, said securing means including a pair ofinwardly directed circumferentially extending lugs spaced about theouter end portion of said body, said lugs including cam surfaces ontheir underfaces.

11. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said cam surfacesare arcuate, said lugs including depending shoulders forming stops alongsaid cam surfaces.

12. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally ofiset opening, normally closed liquidvalve means in said liquid passage, a dispensing coupler unit having agenerally cylindrical head member and a probe extending coaxiallytherefrom with a gas passage extending through said head member andprobe, a liquid passage in said head member bypassing said gas passagetherein, means for releasably securing said coupler unit to said kegadapter with the liquid and gas passages in said coupler unit and saidkeg adapter lying in respective communication with one another, andmeans carried by said coupler unit for opening said liquid valve andsaid gas valve.

13. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said liquid valvemeans in said keg adapter includes a valve member movable between firstand second positions in a plane extending substantially normal to theaxis of said body, said member in said first position sealing saidliquid passage and in said second position opening said liquid passageto permit transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg,said securing means including means carried by said coupler unit andsaid keg adapter cooperable to secure said coupler unit to said kegadapter in response to relative rotation therebetween, said liquid valveopening means being engageable with said valve member to move the latterfrom said first position to said second position in response to saidrelative rotation.

14. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said keg adapterbody includes an inner end wall, a sleeve in said end wall in generallycoaxial relation to said body, said probe being receivable about saidsleeve with said sleeve and probe forming portions of the gas passagethrough said keg adapter and coupler unit respectively, said sleevebeing spaced from the sidewalls of said body to define therewith anannular portion of said liquid passage in communication with the liquidpassage through said coupler unit, said coupler unit including aprojection engageable with said valve member to rotate the latter fromsaid first to said second position.

15. Dispensing according to claim 13 wherein said keg adapter includes apair of inwardly directed circumferentially extending flanges spacedabout the outer end portion of said body, said flanges including camsurfaces on their undersurfaces, said coupler unit having a pair ofoutwardly directed circumferentially extending lugs spaced about thelower end of said head, the coupler unit lugs being receivable throughthe spaces between the keg adapter flanges and engageable against theundersurfaces of said keg adapter flanges to secure said coupler unit tosaid keg adapter in response to rotation of said coupler unit relativeto said keg adapter.

16. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said keg adapterbody includes an inner end wall, a sleeve in said end wall, said probebeing receivable about said sleeve with said sleeve and said probeforming portions of the gas passage through said keg adapter and couplerunit respectively, said sleeve being spaced from the sidewalls of saidbody to define therewith an annular portion of said liquid passage incommunication with the liquid passage through said coupler unit, saidliquid valve member being rotatable about said sleeve, said coupler unitincluding a projection carried by one of said lugs and engageable withsaid valve member to rotate the latter from said first to said secondposition.

17. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 including a gas checkvalve in said gas passage in said coupler.

l8. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said keg includestop, bottom and sidewalls with said enlarged opening extending throughsaid top wall, said sidewall including an opening therethrough adjacentsaid bottom wall and means for sealing said sidewall opening.

19. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said sidewallincludes a filling opening, said top wall opening being offset from theaxis of said keg, a siphon tube carried by said body in communicationwith said offset opening in said body, said siphon tube extending fromsaid adapter past said sidewall opening at a location offset from thekeg axis and being bent to terminate at its lower end adjacent saidbottom wall at a position substantially coaxially of said keg.

20. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said siphon tubeextends from said adapter parallel to the keg axis to a point below saidsidewall opening, said siphon tube being bent at said point to terminateat its lower end substantially coaxially of the keg.

21. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said sidewallincludes a filling opening said enlarged top wall opening extendingcoaxially of said keg, a siphon tube carried by said body incommunication with said offset opening in said body, said siphon tubeextending from said adapter past said sidewall opening at a locationoffset from the keg axis and being formed to terminate at its lower endadjacent said bottom wall at a position substantially coaxially of saidkeg.

22. Liquid-dispensing apparatus for use in tapping a keg or likecontainer having a keg adapter sealing about the keg opening, the kegadapter having gas and liquid passages and valves therefor forrespectively admitting gas under pressure into the keg and withdrawingliquid from the keg, the apparatus comprising a coupler unit having acylindrical body and a liquid passage therethrough, a reduceddiameterprobe carried coaxially within said body and defining an annular portionof said liquid passage between said body and said probe, a gas passagethrough said body including the central passage through said probe, apair of outwardly projecting circumferentially extending lugs carriedabout the lower end portion of said body for releasably securing saidcoupler unit to the keg adapter, one of the lugs having a dependingprojection for engaging the liquid valve in the keg adapter, said bodyhaving a diametrically enlarged portion above said lugs and a sealbetween said lugs and said enlarged portion for sealing against the kegadapter.

23. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said bodyincludes a gas check valve in said gas passage to permit gas flow in onedirection toward the lower end of said head.

24. Liquid-dispensing apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said bodyincludes a portion defining a chamber and a reduced'diameter bore forintroducing gas into said chamber, said bore and chamber forming aportion of said gas passage in communication with the gas passagethrough said probe, said gas check valve comprising a flexible envelopein said chamber and having side walls, an open end and a closed endwall, the upper end of said envelope being sealihgly secured within saidbore with said envelope projecting within said chamber in spacedrelation to the walls of said chamber, said envelope having a slitthrough one of said walls to permit How of gas in one direction throughsaid'bore into said envelope and through said slit into said chamber.

25. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the one keg wall opening and having gas andliquid passageways extending therethrough for the respective transfer ofgas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg, and normally closed valvemeans in said gas and liquid passageways, said valve means including avalve element movable in a substantially axial direction between a firstposition sealing one of said passageways and a second position openingsaid one passa eway, said valve means including a valve body rotatablein a p ane extending substantially normal to the axis of said bodybetween a first position sealing the second of said passageways and asecond position opening said second passageway, a dispensing couplerunit having a generally cylindrical head member and a probe extendingtherefrom with a first passageway through said head member and saidprobe, a second passageway in said head member bypassing said firstpassageway therein means for releasably securing said coupler unit tosaid keg adapter with the first and second passageways in said couplerunit and said keg adapter lying in respective communication one with theother, said probe being engageable with said valve element to move thelatter from said first position to said second position when the couplerunit is secured to said keg adapter.

26. A liquid-dispensing apparatus according to claim 25 includingsealing means between said coupler unit and said keg adapter to maintainsaid first and second passageways therethrough segregated one from theother when said coupler unit is secured to said keg adapter.

27. A liquid-dispensing apparatus according to claim 25 wherein saidelement and said probe extend substantially coaxially of said body andsaid head member respectively.

28. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including a firstpassage extending coaxially through said body, normally closed valvemeans in said first passage, a second passage through said bodybypassing said first passage and terminating adjacent the inner end ofsaid body in a laterally offset opening, normally closed valve means insaid second passage, said body including a sleeve in generally coaxialrelation therewith, at least a portion of said one passage communicatingthrough said sleeve, said sleeve being spaced from the sidewalls of saidbody to define therewith an annular portion of said second passage, saidoffset opening lying in communication with said annular second passageportion, said valve means in said second passage including a valvemember rotatable between first and second positions in a plane extendingsubstantially normal to the axis of said body, said valve member sealingsaid second passage about said opening in said first position andopening said second passage in said second position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 610,478 Dated October 5 1971 Invent0r( Mack S. Johnston It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 65, "flow is" should read flow and is- Column 2 line 29,"cross-sectional" should be deleted.

Column 2 line 72, "comprise" should read --comprises-- Column 3, line15, "having radially" should read --having a radially-; line 19,"laterally" should read a laterally--; line 26, "suitable" should read--suitably-.

Column 5, line 20, "ensuring" should read --ensuing--; line 64,"PROJECTION" should read proj ection-; line 67, "44," should read "44.".

Column 6, line 66, "an" should read --and-; line 68, "hung should read--bung-- Column 8, line 43, Claim 4. "element" should read saidelement-a Column 9, line 61, Claim 10, "container top" should readcontainer having top--.

Column 10, line 50, Claim 15, "Dispensing" should read Dispensingapparatus--.

Signed and sealed this 31st day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLEICHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents JRM PC40 (10- USCOMM-OC 60376-F'd9

1. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, and normally closedliquid valve means in said liquid passage, said liquid valve meansincluding a valve member movable between first and second positions in aplane extending substantially normal to the axis of said body, saidmember in said first position sealing said liquid passage and in saidsecond position opening said liquid passage to permit transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg.
 2. A liquid-dispensingapparatus for use with a keg or like container having top, bottom andsidewalls with an opening in at least one of said walls compRising a kegadapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted to be secured withinthe keg wall opening and including a central gas passage extendingcoaxially through said body for the transfer of gas from the outside tothe inside of the keg, normally closed gas valve means in said gaspassage, a liquid passage through said body bypassing said gas passageand terminating adjacent the inner end of said body in a laterallyoffset opening, and normally closed liquid valve means in said liquidpassage, said body including an inner end wall, a sleeve in said endwall in generally coaxial relation to said body, at least a portion ofsaid gas passage communicating through said sleeve, said sleeve beingspaced from the sidewalls of said body to define therewith an annularportion of said liquid passage, said offset opening in communicationwith said annular liquid passage portion, said liquid valve meansincluding a valve member rotatable about said sleeve between first andsecond positions in a plane extending substantially normal to the axisof said body, said valve member sealing about said opening when in saidfirst position and permitting transfer of liquid from the inside to theoutside of the keg when in said second position.
 3. Dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said offset opening communicates throughsaid end wall, and a siphon tube carried by said body in communicationwith said offset opening.
 4. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use witha keg or like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with an openingin at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having agenerally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wallopening and including a central gas passage extending coaxially throughsaid body for the transfer of gas from the outside to the inside of thekeg, normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquidpassage through said body bypassing said gas passage and terminatingadjacent the inner end of said body in a laterally offset opening, andnormally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage, asubstantially coaxially extending tubular element carried by said bodyfor axial movement between two positions, at least a portion of said gaspassage communicating through said element, said gas valve means carriedat least in part by said element for sealing said gas passage when insaid first axial position and for permitting transfer of gas from theoutside to the inside of said keg when in said second position, andmeans biasing element into said first position.
 5. Dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein said tubular element is closed at its innerend and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings thereaboutspaced axially from said closed end, a sealing ring carried by saidtubular element between said closed end and said openings for sealingagainst said body when said element lies in said first position, saidelement in said second position locating said openings inwardly of saidbody to permit gas communication through said tubular element andopenings into the keg.
 6. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 4wherein said body includes an inner end wall having an axially extendingopening, said tubular element being slideably received through said endwall opening, said tubular element being spaced from the sidewalls ofsaid body with the annular space between said element and said bodydefining a portion of said liquid passage, said offset opening extendingthrough said end wall in communication with said annular liquid passageportion, said liquid valve means including a valve member rotatableabout said element between first and and second positions in a planeextending substantially normal to the axis of said body, said valvemember sealing about said offset opening when in said first position andpermitting transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the kegwhen in said second position.
 7. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for usewith a keg or likE container having top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in at least one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having agenerally cylindrical body adapted to be secured within the keg wallopening and including a central gas passage extending coaxially throughsaid body for the transfer of gas from the outside to the inside of thekeg, normally closed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquidpassage through said body bypassing said gas passage and terminatingadjacent the inner end of said body in a laterally offset opening, andnormally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage, said bodyincluding an inner end wall having a coaxial opening, a sleeve extendingthrough said coaxial opening, said sleeve being spaced from thesidewalls of said body to define therewith an annular portion of saidliquid passage, said offset opening extending through said end wall incommunication with said annular liquid passage portion, said liquidvalve means including a member rotatable about said sleeve between firstand second positions in a plane extending substantially normal to theaxis of said body, means for retaining said valve member and sleeve onsaid body, said valve member sealing about said offset opening when insaid first position and permitting transfer of liquid from the inside tothe outside of the keg when in said second position, a tubular elementhaving a closed inner end slideably received in said sleeve for axialmovement between two positions, at least a portion of said gas passagecommunicating through said element, said gas valve means including aresilient ring carried about said element adjacent the closed endthereof for sealing about said sleeve when said element lies in saidfirst position, a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially aboutsaid element and spaced axially outwardly from said sealing ring, saidelement in said second position locating said openings inwardly of saidsleeve to permit gas communication through said tubular element andopenings into the keg, and means carried by said body biasing saidelement into said first position.
 8. Dispensing apparatus according toclaim 7 wherein said biasing means includes a generally cylindricalhousing secured to the inner end of said sleeve and defining a chamberwith said tubular element through said circumferential openings whensaid element lies in said second position, said housing having anaperture providing communication between said chamber and the keg, and aspring carried within said housing chamber and engaging said element tobias the latter outwardly into said first position.
 9. Aliquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container havingtop, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said wallscomprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted tobe secured within the keg wall opening and including a central gaspassage extending coaxially through said body for the transfer of gasfrom the outside to the inside of the keg, normally closed gas valvemeans in said gas passage, a liquid passage through said body bypassingsaid gas passage and terminating adjacent the inner end of said body ina laterally offset opening, normally closed liquid valve means in saidliquid passage, a keg having an enlarged opening, said keg openingincluding a threaded portion, an unthreaded portion of smaller diameterthan said threaded portion, and an annular shoulder extending inwardlyfrom said unthreaded portion, said body including an outwardly directedflange, a seal between said body flange and said keg shoulder and anexternally threaded locking ring threaded about said threaded portion ofsaid keg opening for clamping said body flange and seal against saidshoulder.
 10. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or likecontainer top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one ofsaid wall s comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including acentral gas passage extending coaxially through said body for thetransfer of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg, normallyclosed gas valve means in said gas passage, a liquid passage throughsaid body bypassing said gas passage and terminating adjacent the innerend of said body in a laterally offset opening, normally closed liquidvalve means in said liquid passage, means carried by said body forreleasably securing a dispensing coupler unit, said securing meansincluding a pair of inwardly directed circumferentially extending lugsspaced about the outer end portion of said body, said lugs including camsurfaces on their underfaces.
 11. Dispensing apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said cam surfaces are arcuate, said lugs includingdepending shoulders forming stops along said cam surfaces.
 12. Aliquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like container havingtop, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of said wallscomprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical body adapted tobe secured within the keg wall opening and including a central gaspassage extending coaxially through said body for the transfer of gasfrom the outside to the inside of the keg, normally closed gas valvemeans in said gas passage, a liquid passage through said body bypassingsaid gas passage and terminating adjacent the inner end of said body ina laterally offset opening, normally closed liquid valve means in saidliquid passage, a dispensing coupler unit having a generally cylindricalhead member and a probe extending coaxially therefrom with a gas passageextending through said head member and probe, a liquid passage in saidhead member bypassing said gas passage therein, means for releasablysecuring said coupler unit to said keg adapter with the liquid and gaspassages in said coupler unit and said keg adapter lying in respectivecommunication with one another, and means carried by said coupler unitfor opening said liquid valve and said gas valve.
 13. Dispensingapparatus according to claim 12 wherein said liquid valve means in saidkeg adapter includes a valve member movable between first and secondpositions in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of saidbody, said member in said first position sealing said liquid passage andin said second position opening said liquid passage to permit transferof liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg, said securing meansincluding means carried by said coupler unit and said keg adaptercooperable to secure said coupler unit to said keg adapter in responseto relative rotation therebetween, said liquid valve opening means beingengageable with said valve member to move the latter from said firstposition to said second position in response to said relative rotation.14. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said keg adapterbody includes an inner end wall, a sleeve in said end wall in generallycoaxial relation to said body, said probe being receivable about saidsleeve with said sleeve and probe forming portions of the gas passagethrough said keg adapter and coupler unit respectively, said sleevebeing spaced from the sidewalls of said body to define therewith anannular portion of said liquid passage in communication with the liquidpassage through said coupler unit, said coupler unit including aprojection engageable with said valve member to rotate the latter fromsaid first to said second position.
 15. Dispensing according to claim 13wherein said keg adapter includes a pair of inwardly directedcircumferentially extending flanges spaced about the outer end portionof said body, said flanges including cam surfaces on theirundersurfaces, said coupler unit having a pair of outwardly directedcircumferentially extending lugs spaced about the lower end of saidhead, the coupler unit lugs being receivable through the spaces betweenthe keg adapter flanges and engageable against the undersurfaces of saidkeg adapter flanges to secure said coupler unit to said keg adapter inresponse to rotation of said coupler unit relative to said keg adapter.16. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said keg adapterbody includes an inner end wall, a sleeve in said end wall, said probebeing receivable about said sleeve with said sleeve and said probeforming portions of the gas passage through said keg adapter and couplerunit respectively, said sleeve being spaced from the sidewalls of saidbody to define therewith an annular portion of said liquid passage incommunication with the liquid passage through said coupler unit, saidliquid valve member being rotatable about said sleeve, said coupler unitincluding a projection carried by one of said lugs and engageable withsaid valve member to rotate the latter from said first to said secondposition.
 17. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 including a gascheck valve in said gas passage in said coupler.
 18. Dispensingapparatus according to claim 9 wherein said keg includes top, bottom andsidewalls with said enlarged opening extending through said top wall,said sidewall including an opening therethrough adjacent said bottomwall and means for sealing said sidewall opening.
 19. Dispensingapparatus according to claim 18 wherein said sidewall includes a fillingopening, said top wall opening being offset from the axis of said keg, asiphon tube carried by said body in communication with said offsetopening in said body, said siphon tube extending from said adapter pastsaid sidewall opening at a location offset from the keg axis and beingbent to terminate at its lower end adjacent said bottom wall at aposition substantially coaxially of said keg.
 20. Dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 19 wherein said siphon tube extends from said adapterparallel to the keg axis to a point below said sidewall opening, saidsiphon tube being bent at said point to terminate at its lower endsubstantially coaxially of the keg.
 21. Dispensing apparatus accordingto claim 18 wherein said sidewall includes a filling opening saidenlarged top wall opening extending coaxially of said keg, a siphon tubecarried by said body in communication with said offset opening in saidbody, said siphon tube extending from said adapter past said sidewallopening at a location offset from the keg axis and being formed toterminate at its lower end adjacent said bottom wall at a positionsubstantially coaxially of said keg.
 22. Liquid-dispensing apparatus foruse in tapping a keg or like container having a keg adapter sealingabout the keg opening, the keg adapter having gas and liquid passagesand valves therefor for respectively admitting gas under pressure intothe keg and withdrawing liquid from the keg, the apparatus comprising acoupler unit having a cylindrical body and a liquid passagetherethrough, a reduced-diameter probe carried coaxially within saidbody and defining an annular portion of said liquid passage between saidbody and said probe, a gas passage through said body including thecentral passage through said probe, a pair of outwardly projectingcircumferentially extending lugs carried about the lower end portion ofsaid body for releasably securing said coupler unit to the keg adapter,one of the lugs having a depending projection for engaging the liquidvalve in the keg adapter, said body having a diametrically enlargedportion above said lugs and a seal between said lugs and said enlargedportion for sealing against the keg adapter.
 23. Dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 22 wherein said body includes a gas check valve insaid gas passage to permit gas flow in one direction toward the lowerend of said head.
 24. Liquid-dispensing apparatus according to claim 23wherein said body includes a portion defining a chamber and areduced-diameter bore for introducing gas into said chamber, said boreand chamber forming a portion of said gas passage in communication withthe gas passage through said probe, said gas check valve comprising aflexiBle envelope in said chamber and having side walls, an open end anda closed end wall, the upper end of said envelope being sealinglysecured within said bore with said envelope projecting within saidchamber in spaced relation to the walls of said chamber, said envelopehaving a slit through one of said walls to permit flow of gas in onedirection through said bore into said envelope and through said slitinto said chamber.
 25. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a kegor like container having top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in atleast one of said walls comprising a keg adapter having a generallycylindrical body adapted to be secured within the one keg wall openingand having gas and liquid passageways extending therethrough for therespective transfer of gas into the keg and of liquid out of the keg,and normally closed valve means in said gas and liquid passageways, saidvalve means including a valve element movable in a substantially axialdirection between a first position sealing one of said passageways and asecond position opening said one passageway, said valve means includinga valve body rotatable in a plane extending substantially normal to theaxis of said body between a first position sealing the second of saidpassageways and a second position opening said second passageway, adispensing coupler unit having a generally cylindrical head member and aprobe extending therefrom with a first passageway through said headmember and said probe, a second passageway in said head member bypassingsaid first passageway therein means for releasably securing said couplerunit to said keg adapter with the first and second passageways in saidcoupler unit and said keg adapter lying in respective communication onewith the other, said probe being engageable with said valve element tomove the latter from said first position to said second position whenthe coupler unit is secured to said keg adapter.
 26. A liquid-dispensingapparatus according to claim 25 including sealing means between saidcoupler unit and said keg adapter to maintain said first and secondpassageways therethrough segregated one from the other when said couplerunit is secured to said keg adapter.
 27. A liquid-dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 25 wherein said element and said probe extendsubstantially coaxially of said body and said head member respectively.28. A liquid-dispensing apparatus for use with a keg or like containerhaving top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in at least one of saidwalls comprising a keg adapter having a generally cylindrical bodyadapted to be secured within the keg wall opening and including a firstpassage extending coaxially through said body, normally closed valvemeans in said first passage, a second passage through said bodybypassing said first passage and terminating adjacent the inner end ofsaid body in a laterally offset opening, normally closed valve means insaid second passage, said body including a sleeve in generally coaxialrelation therewith, at least a portion of said one passage communicatingthrough said sleeve, said sleeve being spaced from the sidewalls of saidbody to define therewith an annular portion of said second passage, saidoffset opening lying in communication with said annular second passageportion, said valve means in said second passage including a valvemember rotatable between first and second positions in a plane extendingsubstantially normal to the axis of said body, said valve member sealingsaid second passage about said opening in said first position andopening said second passage in said second position.